NEW MIDDLE EAST: A century after the British, one of the great powers during World War I, issued the Balfour Declaration, new great powers are overshadowing the Middle East, according to former Mossad director Efraim Halevy. The ex-spy chief will share his expertise as he discusses this topic at the upcoming buffet brunch of the Israel British Commonwealth Association in Herzliya Pituach on Sunday. Although few who haven’t heard him speak are likely to know it, Halevy was born and raised in London, where he was a member of Bnei Akiva. “He wrote me that Northwest London arouses many pleasant memories, the IBCA’s Renee Singer told Haaretz. “We are so proud of him because he did so well in such a position.” Singer said Halevy will deliver his lecture after the expected crowd of over 120 guests has brunch, and the lectured will be followed by a Q&A session. For more info, call Renee at (052) 545-5634.

FERTILE TOPIC: Many Israeli couples face infertility issues, yet the subject remains a big taboo. Director and actress Meirav Zur draws on her own experience to take on this issue in her one-woman comedy “Inconceivable” at Tel Aviv’s Habima this Wednesday. “I made it funny because I wouldn’t have been able to talk about it otherwise,” she told Haaretz. Having avoided talking about her own challenges for years, she finally opened up theatrically, with her husband’s encouragement. “The main thing is that it’s an icebreaker about women’s health issues,” she said, noting that it appeals to both men and women. “People who went through it relate to it; the others who had friends but never really knew anything were just happy to know more about it. They felt it was a little springboard for discussion.” Dramaturgy is by Natalie Fainstein, and the styling is by Wendy Lehmann. For tickets, visit https://tixwise.co.il/en/ishabima.

HOME ALONE (NOT!): Next Friday, the Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin will celebrate the official opening of the Norton and Sylvia Alevy Bayit L’Chayalot in Jerusalem, which will serve female lone soldiers. It will house 10 female lone soldiers and a live-in counselor. “Each of these wonderful young women has demonstrated selfless dedication to serving the people of Israel,” said Richard Corman, the center’s vice president of community services. “This home reflects our commitment to support their IDF service, to minimize their hardship, and to express to these lone soldiers the gratitude of the Jewish people both here in Israel and throughout the Diaspora.” Alex, a lone soldier from New Jersey serving in the IDF’s Search and Rescue Unit said: “To live in a space with other female lone soldiers who understand what I go through in the army is amazing. I am never lonely. I come home to a family and a community.”

Rank and File was compiled by Steven Klein.

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